Best overall

HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 has a fantastic build quality and a chassis that is only 0.54 inches (1.37cm) thick. The 13.3-inch, 1080p touch display works well while in tablet, stand, or tent modes, and the keyboard and touchpad are a joy to use while in notebook mode. Inside you get a 7th-generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor with a clock speed up to 3.5GHz, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to a 1TB solid-state drive.

Bottom line: For the best ultrabook out there, you have to go with the HP Spectre x360.

Why the HP Spectre x360 is the best ultrabook

HP's Spectre x360, updated for late 2016, has returned and impressed me all over again.

Everything about the new HP Spectre x360 screams quality. The solid, silver chassis doesn't show most scratches or fingerprints, and is only about a half-inch (1.38cm) thick when closed and weighs just 2.85 pounds (1.3kg). When opening the lid and rotating it back for tent, tablet, or stand modes, the hinges feel solid and there's no unnecessary wiggle.

As far as performance hardware, get up to a 7th-generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor with a clock speed up to 3.5GHz, 16GB of DDR3 RAM, and a 1TB PCIe solid-state drive. This laptop can handle whatever you throw at it with ease, and with a battery that lasts up to 10 hours, you won't get stuck looking for an outlet.

The 1080p touch display has deep color, excellent viewing angles, and near-perfect contrast. It reaches from edge to edge thanks to a reduced bezel, and the IR camera built into the top of the screen is compatible with Windows Hello for fast, secure sign-ins.

Runner-up

Microsoft Surface Book

The Microsoft's Surface Book's removable keyboard and touchpad, Surface Pen, and 13.5-inch touchscreen together create an amazing no matter what you use it for. Get up to an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a discrete NVIDIA GPU, and a 1TB solid-state drive. Battery life is solid, the keyboard is pleasure to type on, and the touchpad is precise. What more could you ask for?

Bottom line: For a powerful desktop replacement with a beautiful display and removable keyboard, you have to go with the Surface Book.

Best non-convertible

Dell XPS 13

The Dell XPS 13's near-complete lack of bezel really highlights the 13.3-inch touch display, especially if you opt for the beautiful 1800p option. The new 7th-generation Intel processor delivers increased performance and better battery life, and 16GB of DDR3 RAM ensures you can power through anything that comes your way. Configurations of this amazing ultrabook start at about $800.

Bottom line: The Dell XPS 13 is the best non-convertible ultrabook you can buy right now.

Best for mobility

Samsung Notebook 9

The Samsung Notebook 9 is like the best little ultrabook that no one talks about. Its 13.3-inch display, while only 1080p, is an absolute pleasure to look at — Samsung really knows what they're doing when it comes to displays. It has a battery that lasts upwards of 10 hours, which is not bad considering the hardware inside — you're getting a 6th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The all-metal design is incredibly durable, and also incredibly light: the whole package weighs only 1.9 pounds and is only 0.53 inches thick. The Samsung Notebook 9 starts at about $950.

Bottom line: For the most mobile ultrabook on the market, don't look any further than the Samsung Notebook 9.

One more thing: Despite its compact size, the Notebook 9 has the ports you want most, including HDMI, mini VGA, and two USB 3.0.

Conclusion

If you need a light, high-quality ultrabook, check out the Samsung Notebook 9. If you're looking for a desktop replacement in the form of a modular ultrabook, have a look at the Surface Book. Don't care about convertibles and just want the best classic laptop there is? Can't go wrong with Dell XPS 13. If you want the best ultrabook available right now, the HP Spectre x360 should be your first choice.

Best overall

HP Spectre x360

The HP Spectre x360 has a fantastic build quality and a chassis that is only 0.54 inches (1.37cm) thick. The 13.3-inch, 1080p touch display works well while in tablet, stand, or tent modes, and the keyboard and touchpad are a joy to use while in notebook mode. Inside you get a 7th-generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor with a clock speed up to 3.5GHz, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to a 1TB solid-state drive.

Bottom line: For the best ultrabook out there, you have to go with the HP Spectre x360.

Reader comments

Best Ultrabook of 2016

So I'm in the market for a laptop that I could use for gaming and school purposes. I was thinking in gettng the SB but my main concern is about the 1gb nvidia 940 graphics it has, because I'm wondering if it will be able to handle the demanding games that I might run on it. I saw videos of people trying it out with games but still gots me skeptical about getting one. I will most likely get the SB2 if it comes out with better specs (most likely it will) by the end of the year or early next year. But what do you guys have to say with what it can do now? For both gaming and just regular college work because I have a surface 3 and planning on giving it to my girlfriend since she loves using it now.

If you are Serious/Hardcore gamer, you may be in for frustration. I used to be but having kids and busy life has taken the hardcore gamer out of me. For me, gaming on the Surface Book has been more than acceptable. I've played/tried ALIEN: Isolation, Fallout 4, Obduction, Half-Life 2, Portal Series. and lighter games like Stanley Parable and The Beginners Guide. All played just fine for my needs. I was surprised ALIEN: Isolation worked. I've not been disappointed.

Don't know if I consider myself that hardcore :D but I would be wondering if games like Tera Online, Blade and Soul, Paragon; would play nicely on it. But I'm actually glad to hear that those type of games haven't been a let down for you! That gives me more than enough hope to consider it even more, especially the new one that will be coming up.

Basically, I would think of the Surface Book as an ultrabook that CAN game. Fallout 4 for sure can't play at top settings but with adjustments, it plays and looks great. Wish I could tell you about those other games but I imagine they'll be acceptable.

Well I saw a video that someone was playing the Witcher 3 on it and it wasn't set at the utmost amount of graphics (from what I could tell) but still high enough to look good (of course with a little frame drop here and there) and with you saying that battlefield could play on it just confirms it even more

I have to disagree with Daniel here a bit on the non-convertibles part. Agreed the surface would truly be the best, I've never seen it but do get the idea from the surface pro 4. However, I do believe the ASUS UX305fa/306 deserved a mention, I use it as my daily driver, and its just 12 - 14mm at its thickest depending on model, goes all the way from an m3 to an i7 in the CA version, is incredibly light, 13.3 inch 1080p display, killer build quality and trackpad, and all round very good performance. Also, it doesn't break the bank and is one of the more budget friendly ultrabooks out there. I feel that also should've made the cut. Although its my personal opinion.

I had a few teething problems with my SB, but I did whack it on the fast ring the day I took it out of the lovely packaging, it has improved a lot over the time and has not let me down, by far the best laptop and tablet I have had :)

Me and my wife have had a Surface Book each since December, and we both think they are the best computers we have ever had. We started with Apple IIe's back in the 80's. Like Daniel notes - some of the overwhelming advantages are the 3:2 screens and the pen. Once you have used that there is no going back.

I have a Surface Book on order and I really like it but my friend who has three with docking stations has endless issues with monitor compatibility and often they do not get recognised at all with multiple reboots. It also seems to have issues with resizing. Not what you would expect, for such an expensive setup. Hopefully I will not regret my decision to move away from the ever reliable X1 carbon.

I was swayed by the beauty of the detachable screen and it's something I know I will use a lot. So should be fine, but multiple monitors in desktop mode is something that needs to work as well.

He uses the screen and laptop I will not, just relying on the dual screens. Experience says that gives the lest amount of issues.

If I had to pick one right now, with the Surface Book's current design, I'd go for the Dell XPS (as I don't care much for detachable screens and if I want that, I already have the Surface Pro).

But if the Surface Book 2 comes without the horrible hinge and in black, then it'd be Surface Book all the way.

I just don't see myself, for the time being, needing something that does more than the Surface Pro already does though. Not when it comes to portability. But I also prefer desktop PCs to do real work. Surfaces, Ultrabooks etc I see them as an on-the-go solution only.

I need to get a new laptop while the Surface book is in the running, I cant help but also put the Surface Pro in the mix as well. While they are different, they are also kinda the same...

Can you tell me what you use the SP for, I need something to take to customer sites, etc... as you I do 99% of my work on a desktop, the more "laptop" bend to the SB seems more viable, but for the lower cost, Im thinking the SP would work... again Im not typing all day on it..

I'd definitely say to go with the surface pro, same CPU performance and stability (if not greater stability because the surface book had some bugs with the hinge) and it's a lot more portable. Unless you want to game with your clients, there's no benefit of using the surface book as your portable machine.

What bugs with the hinge are you referring to? I haven't experienced any that are particular to the hinge.

In terms of surface book vs surface pro, think about it this way. The surface book is designed as laptop first, tablet second and the surface pro is tablet first, laptop second. I bought the surface book because I primarily use it as a laptop, but there are times like when I'm with clients where I use the pen and write notes or if I just want to do some reading/watch netflix. I actually bought my surface book from ebay in June 2016 and overeall have been very happy with it, but obviously there are some things that could improve with the 2nd generation. The hinge seems weird at first, but honestly it doesn't change anything. I know a lot of people worry about things getting inbetween the keyboard and screen or worry about breaking it, but I haven't experienced any issues so far.

Also, I don't use the dock so I can't speak to how that performs with the surface book.

I think by "bugs with the hinge" most people are referring to the screen wobble being severe (or at least appearing that way to bystanders) in certain situations.
However, I totally agree with your description of SP as tablet first laptop second and vice versa for book. That's why I have my SP4 and I love it.

Ah gotcha. It's only an issue of you're constantly using the surface book on like a bumpy car/bus/train ride. Other than that I can't think of situations where your device might be in a constant state of abrupt movements. I have used it on bumpy bus rides and it can be annoying.

I saw someone use one today in class. It seemed to wobble a bit, but I only looked for a few seconds before I went back to pretending to pay attention in lecture. But probably not as noticeable head on.
The SB is just so god damn sexy, makes me wish I'd gotten one instead of my SP4, except that my SP4 is better for what I use it for.
Although if the ones are in with USB C, this one might end up on eBay.

My wife/partner and I each have top end SBs, There is absolutely zero screen wobble. Period. I'm actually quite amazed about how solid it is. I had one issue where I was somewhere with excruciatingly high humidity. When I popped the screen back on it was OK for a minute and then the green ATTACHED sign came up. This happened a couple of times. I took the screen off, wiped the connectors and made sure they were dry and replaced the screen. No problems since.

I have a few issues with how W10 and certain apps (OneNote 2016) handle the Intel GPU in the screen. Works perfectly when attached to the keyboard but has issues when detached. Obviously a software issue.

Otherwise I totally agree. Easily the best portable device of any kind avaiable today.

The Surface Pro is a more than capable device and should actually fill in the needs of most users.

I use the SP3 mainly for writting-related work (I rely and heavily use Microsoft Word), some photo editing on the go with Paint Shop Pro X8 (light editing only though otherwise the SP3 fans go berserk) and web browsing (and I use Chrome, not Edge). I also have a couple of Xbox games installed though I don't normally open them on the Surface. They're there "just in case".

For my use, the i5 SP3 has served me perfectly which is also why I didn't bother to sidegrade to the SP4 or to upgrade to the Surface Book as it wasn't justified (this one also because I don't like the hinge design and gap).

I have a request, since Windows Central aspires to reach the world, could you please use the units that the world can actually understand, namely the metric system? What is 3.34 pounds in grams? I know one can convert online but, out of courtesy, could you at least give both measurements?

I second this. Specially because even in the USA, all important measurements are also done using the metric system. NASA, Science departments, Universities etc all use the metric system. Even Microsoft uses it in their labs.

I think that we'll eventually stop using the Imperial measurements, but it will die "a death of a thousand cuts". A small change here, another there, till we have finally switched over. People are simply accustomed to using Imperial, and to many making the switch is more hassle than it's worth.

I love mine quite a bit! I upgraded from SP3 and was initially concerned about going from a 'tablet' to a laptop again. I am not disappointed in any way with my decision. I find myself using my Stream 7 a little more as a bed time tablet, but it does what it needs to for that situation.